'''Ar-Adûnakhôr''' ([[Second Age]] 2709 – 2962, aged 253 years), was the twentieth [[King of Númenor]], ruling for 63 years, from Second Age 2899 until his death.

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{{numenorean infobox

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| image=

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| name=Ar-Adûnakhôr

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| othernames=''Tar-Herunúmen'' ([[Quenya|Q]])

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| titles=[[King of Númenor]]

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| position=

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| location=[[Númenor]]

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| affiliation=[[King's Men]]

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| language=[[Adûnaic]]

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| birth={{SA|2709}}

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| birthlocation=

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| rule={{SA|2899}} - {{SA|2962|n}} (63 years)

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| death={{SA|2962}}

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| deathlocation=

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| age=253

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| house=[[House of Elros]]

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| parentage=[[Tar-Ardamin]]

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| siblings=

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| spouse=

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| children=[[Ar-Zimrathôn]]

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| gender=Male

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}}'''Ar-Adûnakhôr''' was the twentieth [[King of Númenor]].

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When Ar-Adûnakhôr became King, he took his name in [[Adûnaic]]. He was the first of the Kings of Númenor to do this; although most of the Númenóreans had stopped using the [[Elven tongues]] generations before, it was still customary for the Kings to take their royal names in [[Quenya]]. This break with tradition, along with the very meaning of the name itself (''Adûnakhôr'' signifed "Lord of the West" and properly referred to [[Manwë]] the Elder King) antagonized those of the Númenóreans who were still loyal to the [[Valar]] (called the [[Faithful]]). To the Faihful, the choosing of this name represented outright blasphemy and a direct challenge to the rightful leadership of the Valar.

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When Ar-Adûnakhôr became King, he took his title in [[Adûnaic]]. He was the first of the [[Kings of Númenor]] to do this; although most [[Númenóreans]] had stopped using the [[Elvish|Elven tongues]] generations before, it was still customary for the Kings to take their royal names in [[Quenya]]. This break with tradition, along with the very meaning of the name itself (''Adûnakhôr'' signifed "Lord of the West" and properly referred to [[Manwë]] the [[Elder King]]) antagonized those of the Númenóreans who were still loyal to the [[Valar]] (called the [[Faithful]]). To the Faithful, the choosing of this name represented outright blasphemy and a direct challenge to the rightful leadership of the Valar.

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In addition to taking an Adûnaic name, Ar-Adûnakhôr forbade the speaking of the Elven tongues in his presence. Because of the cold feelings of Ar-Adûnakhôr and [[King's Men|most of his people] to the [[Eldar]] and the [[Valar]], Elven ships came from [[Tol Eressëa]] to the west of Númenor only seldom and in secret.

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In addition to taking an Adûnaic name, Ar-Adûnakhôr forbade the speaking of the Elven tongues in his presence. Because of the cold feelings of Ar-Adûnakhôr and [[King's Men|most of his people]] to the [[Eldar]] and the [[Valar]], Elven ships came from [[Tol Eressëa]] to the west of Númenor only seldom and in secret.

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Had Ar-Adûnakhôr taken a Quenya name, he would have ruled as '''Tar-Herunúmen'''.

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Had Ar-Adûnakhôr taken a Quenya name, he would have ruled as Tar-Herunúmen. In fact, this was the name inscribed in the [[Scroll of Kings]], not only due to ancient custom but also in fear that breaking the custom would bring evil upon Númenor.<ref>{{UT|Kings}}, Ar-Adûnakhôr</ref>

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== Other names ==

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{{sequence

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Tar-Herunúmen took the Sceptre using his Adûnaic name, Ar-Adûnakhôr, the first time this had been done in Númenor's history. This name, meaning 'Lord of the West', traditionally referred to the Valar, and was considered by many to be blasphemous and ill-omened. So, despite Ar-Adûnakhôr's hatred of the Elvish tongues (he went so far as to ban their teaching) his name was still recorded in the Scroll of Kings in High-elven form: Tar-Herunúmen.<ref>{{S|IV}}</ref>

When Ar-Adûnakhôr became King, he took his title in Adûnaic. He was the first of the Kings of Númenor to do this; although most Númenóreans had stopped using the Elven tongues generations before, it was still customary for the Kings to take their royal names in Quenya. This break with tradition, along with the very meaning of the name itself (Adûnakhôr signifed "Lord of the West" and properly referred to Manwë the Elder King) antagonized those of the Númenóreans who were still loyal to the Valar (called the Faithful). To the Faithful, the choosing of this name represented outright blasphemy and a direct challenge to the rightful leadership of the Valar.

In addition to taking an Adûnaic name, Ar-Adûnakhôr forbade the speaking of the Elven tongues in his presence. Because of the cold feelings of Ar-Adûnakhôr and most of his people to the Eldar and the Valar, Elven ships came from Tol Eressëa to the west of Númenor only seldom and in secret.

Had Ar-Adûnakhôr taken a Quenya name, he would have ruled as Tar-Herunúmen. In fact, this was the name inscribed in the Scroll of Kings, not only due to ancient custom but also in fear that breaking the custom would bring evil upon Númenor.[1]

Other names

Tar-Herunúmen took the Sceptre using his Adûnaic name, Ar-Adûnakhôr, the first time this had been done in Númenor's history. This name, meaning 'Lord of the West', traditionally referred to the Valar, and was considered by many to be blasphemous and ill-omened. So, despite Ar-Adûnakhôr's hatred of the Elvish tongues (he went so far as to ban their teaching) his name was still recorded in the Scroll of Kings in High-elven form: Tar-Herunúmen.[2]